Abstract: The John A. Larson papers contain material primarily compiled by Larson and possibly others as background for papers and books.
Includes correspondence, writings, material related to his professional career, polygraphs, subject files, and clippings.
The bulk of the collection is comprised of copies.

Languages Represented:
Collection materials are in English.

Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Information for Researchers

Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft
Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.

The John A. Larson Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Robert F. Borkenstein on April 4, 1977.

Processing Information

Processed by Elizabeth Stephens in 2005.

Biography

In 1921 John A. Larson, a young medical student at the University of California Berkeley, assembled the first American polygraph
lie detector for Berkely Chief of Police, August Vollmer. Larson went on to specialize in criminal psychology working with
police departments and mental hospitals in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, New Mexico, and South Dakota.

Scope and Content of Collection

The John A. Larson papers contain material primarily compiled by Larson and possibly others as background for papers and books.
Includes correspondence, writings, material related to his professional career, polygraphs, subject files, and clippings.
The bulk of the collection is comprised of copies.